06 July 2011 UK government claims it has exceeded its own carbon reduction target
The UK government has exceeded its own targets for greenhouse gas reductions, ministers announced on Wednesday. Central government emissions were cut by 14% in the past year, compared to the 10% reduction that had been promised. The prime minister, David Cameron, applauded the effort but said he wanted to go further, pledging a 25% reduction in carbon from central government by the end of this parliament.
Officials said the reductions in the last year were the result of energy-saving measures, such as turning down air conditioning and turning off lights, rather than staff cuts, which had largely not taken effect when the reductions were calculated.
The new 25% commitment will mean an end to many of the perks enjoyed by ministers and civil servants, because travel will be included in the carbon targets for the first time. This will force senior MPs and officials to reconsider carbon-intensive travel such as ministerial cars and business class flights.
The move is likely to mean officials have to ensure more flights are taken in economy, and there will be a higher bar to justify business class tickets, though some flights will still be taken in the more expensive cabin. Business class passengers are allocated a greater share of a flight's CO2 output because they occupy more space.
Cameron made the decision with the backing of climate secretary Chris Huhne, but against wishes of some on the Tory right. Liam Fox, secretary of state for defence, which owns one of the biggest government estates, was against it.
However, Cameron's efforts to restore his government's claim to be "the greenest ever" were undermined by his own MEPs on Tuesday, who staged a rebellion against the party line by voting against tougher emissions targets for Europe.
The votes by 16 of the 23 Tory MEPs helped to swing the European parliament's decision against more ambitious climate change targets. For the full news article and to be taken to the website, click here |
